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Thursday, 22 March 2012
Page: 2560

Presentation

Senator Collins to move:

That the following matter be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report:

The routine of business and the precedence granted to the motions to refer matters of privilege to the Committee of Privileges when the President gives precedence to such matters.

Senators Di Natale and Rhiannon to move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   notes that:

      (i)   on 1 November 2010, $120.5 million was made available through Medicare for eligible midwives to work in private practice, and

      (ii)   this funding has not been effectively implemented, with only one midwifery group practice able to claim all funding available, 17 months after its implementation; and

   (b)   calls on the Minister for Health (Ms Plibersek) to:

      (i)   work, as a matter of priority and within a defined timeframe, with the Council of Australian Governments and Australian health ministers to agree on a nationwide approach, that will allow Medicare eligible privately practicing midwives to gain access to public hospitals and the Medicare funding available,

      (ii)   ensure women are able to continue to access care for birth at home from registered private practice midwives after 1 July 2013 by ensuring an insurance product is made available to private practice midwives for birth at home, and

      (iii)   make Commonwealth funding available for mentoring programs so that midwives receive support as they transition into private practice and access funds available under Medicare.